Need help right now?
If someone needs immediate help with severe dehydration, use emergency mode.
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DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A person has not kept fluids down, has not urinated for many hours, and is weak, dizzy, or confused.
The essentials if you need to act right now.
Small sips ORS or water. Rest cool. Call 112 if confused or no urine all day.
What might I see? Observable signs — no diagnosis required.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Dry mouth, extreme thirst, dizziness on standing, dark or no urine.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Sunken eyes, rapid heartbeat, confusion, or fainting.
Optional deeper explanation — not required to act.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Severe dehydration reduces blood volume and can cause kidney failure, shock, and confusion.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Common with vomiting, diarrhea, heat illness, or uncontrolled diabetes.
Check the scene before you approach.
Civilian-safe actions you can take.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Move to cool shade. Have them sit or lie down.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — If awake — offer oral rehydration solution or water in small sips every few minutes.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Continue small sips — large gulps may trigger vomiting.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Loosen clothing. Fan if hot. Note time of last urination.
When and how to get professional help.
Confusion, sunken eyes, no urine 12 hours, or inability to keep fluids down needs IV fluids.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Oral rehydration if tolerated. Call for help if oral fluids fail or mental status changes.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Call 112 if confused, fainting, chest pain, or cannot keep any fluid down.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Say severe dehydration — mention vomiting, diarrhea, or heat exposure.
Dangerous actions, when not to attempt rescue, and common myths.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT give only plain water after heavy diarrhea — needs electrolytes (ORS).
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT continue exercise or work in heat.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Drinking lots of water at once fixes severe dehydration
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Large volumes can cause vomiting. Small frequent sips of ORS are safer and replace electrolytes.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Failed rehydration and electrolyte imbalance from water alone after diarrhea.
Other scenarios in the same family.
Adrenal crisis
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A person on long-term steroids or with known adrenal problems has sudden severe weakness, vomiting, low blood pressure, or confusion.
Diabetic unconscious
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A known or suspected diabetic is unresponsive. Cause may be very low or very high blood sugar.
Electrolyte imbalance
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — After vomiting, diarrhea, heat, or certain medicines, a person has severe cramps, weakness, confusion, or heart palpitations.
Low blood sugar
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A person with diabetes (or on certain medicines) is sweaty, shaky, confused, or irritable — signs of low blood sugar.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — IV rehydration is needed when oral fluids fail or consciousness is affected.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Children and elderly dehydrate faster — lower threshold for emergency care.